The Burkholders have left for a little vacay so I'm going to indulge in a little gossip while they're not here to defend themselves. I'm renting a little mother-in-law type apartment room/kitchenette/bathroom in their house in Anchorage and I can't image a better place to be living. Apparently I'm only the latest in a stream of famous skiers to stay here including Adam Verrier, Kikkan Randall, and Jeff Ellis. Regardless of who they house, the Burkholders are legends in their own right. Jim "Burky" has been a ski coach in Anchorage for a long time (I don't have all the info, just tidbits of information and my own general impression). He was the first Nordic ski coach at UAA and I suspect that he's coached other High Schools and programs in Anchorage. Now he makes very cool skiing (and other sports) related art which I have some photos of for you.

Sally used to teach math. Which I adore because, well, I have a math major too and I have to stick up for my major. She also started the Alaska Ski For Women Organization which raises funds ($48,000 in 2007) and awareness for Abused Women's Aid In Crisis (AWAIC) in Anchorage. Which is pretty much awesome. I'm a little sad because I haven't been in the Anchorage ski community long enough to really know how awesome the Burkholders actually are... I still mostly have to guess. I do know that they've been super nice to me and made me feel very much at home here and that Sally makes good rhubarb pie!

The Alaska Ski For Women icon, designed and made by Burky.